Whale shark spotted by USS Mohawk reef

A 20-foot whale shark was
spotted swimming around the USS Mohawk less than a month after crews sank the
ship to turn it into an artificial reef. It's a sight divers who know the area
well say would never have been possible.

When the 65 foot World War
II battleship slipped into the water 30 miles off Redfish Pass,
the hope was fishing and underwater sports businesses would thrive along with
the wildlife.

The USS Mohawk slipped
into the Gulf to act as a salute to veterans and an artificial reef - sharing
some of that battling spirit with underwater life.

"It was meant to
enhance marine life here in Lee
County," said project
manager Mike Campbell. "We had our first fish and divers there on the first
day so it's doing very well."

The 65 foot hub for life
only grew from there - helping nearby underwater businesses too.

"As someone in the
scuba businesses this has been amazing," said Captain Pete Williamson.

He says it's been tough
keeping up with all the customers waiting to see the USS Mohawk.

Then, on Sunday, almost
a month to the day the ship sank - the most exciting signs of growth yet.

Williamson and everyone on his tour saw something he never thought he'd see in
these parts.

They saw a whale shark –
the largest fish in the world.

"A lot of people
put it on bucket list to see. It was neat to be able to do it here," Williamson
said. "Australia and Honduras are known
for whale shark. Now here we are in our own backyard and there's a whale
shark."

And with that massive
surprise - it's clear the USS Mohawk accomplished one last mission.

"We take them out
in the gulf show them most spectacular animal they've ever seen in terms of
size," Williamson said.

No one expected the USS
Mohawk would attract this type of wildlife so soon. But officials with Lee
County Natural Resources say it's a good sign.

In the next six months,
they should have a better idea of exactly how much of a boost businesses are
seeing thanks to the new exciting wildlife.

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